JP2001188453A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of miscopies. SOLUTION: This image forming device is provided with a control panel 150 for setting indispensable conditions that are used without fail for copying an original image and accessory conditions used as necessary, a printer device PRT copying the original image at prescribed intervals and a CPU 173 controlling the printer device PRT in order to delay timing in which the copying of a 2nd sheet is started after the copying of a 1st sheet is finished when the accessory condition is set by the panel 150.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of copying a document image under various copying conditions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, it has been required to increase the copying speed in order to improve the copying efficiency of a copying machine. For this reason, when copying on a plurality of sheets, a copying machine has been developed in which the interval from the end of one copy to the next copy is made as short as possible.

Further, there is a demand for an improved copy function so that a document image can be copied in various forms. For this reason, it is possible to set the copy conditions differently,
2. Description of the Related Art A copying machine capable of copying a document image in a form according to copying conditions has been developed. The copy conditions include, for example, the number of sheets to be copied, the copy density indicating the density of the ink to be copied, the copy magnification indicating the size ratio of the image to be copied to the original, and the size of the copy paper. Paper feed port shown.

[0004]

However, if the operator incorrectly sets the copy conditions, the original is copied in a form different from the form desired by the operator. When the operator sees the copied paper and notices that the copying conditions have been set incorrectly, the copying speed has been so fast that several copies have already been completed, which may lead to erroneous copying. There was a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing erroneous copying.

[0006]

According to one aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an essential condition used for copying an original image and an accompanying condition used when necessary are set. Setting means for performing copying, an image forming means for copying a document image at predetermined intervals, and, when the setting conditions set by the setting means, start copying the first sheet and start copying the second sheet. Control means for controlling the image forming means in order to delay the timing of the image formation.

According to the present invention, when the setting condition is set by the setting means, the timing of starting the copying of the second sheet after the copying of the first sheet is delayed. For this reason, the operator of the copying machine can check the recording medium on which the first sheet has been copied before starting the copying of the second sheet when the associated condition is set. If the copying is not performed under the intended copying conditions, the copying conditions can be reset. As a result, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which the second sheet is not copied under erroneous copying conditions and erroneous copying can be reduced.

[0008] Further, when the incidental condition is not set by the setting means, copying is performed at a predetermined interval, so that there is no waiting time and the throughput is not impaired.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises setting condition display means for displaying the copying condition set by the setting means, wherein the control means sets the condition set by the setting means when the setting condition display means is activated. Irrespective of this, the image forming means is controlled in order to delay the timing at which the second copy is started after the first copy after the setting condition display means is activated. I do.

According to the present invention, the operator of the copying machine confirms the displayed copying conditions, and then confirms the recording medium on which the first copy has been made before the second copy is started. be able to. If the copying is not performed under the intended copying conditions, the copying conditions can be reset before the second copy is started, so that erroneous copying can be reduced.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a series of operations for copying each of a plurality of original images onto a recording medium and outputting the copied group of recording media is repeated to output a plurality of groups of recording media. A copying machine, a setting means for setting essential conditions always used for copying a plurality of original images and accompanying conditions used as necessary, and an image for repeating a series of operations at predetermined intervals Forming means;
And control means for controlling the image forming means in order to delay the timing at which the second series of operations is started after the first series of operations is completed when the setting condition sets the associated condition. .

According to the present invention, when the associated condition is set by the setting means, the timing at which the first series of operations is completed and then the second series of operations is started is delayed. For this reason, the operator of the copying machine can check the recording medium output by the first series of operations before the second series of operations is started when the associated condition is set. As a result, when the copy is not performed under the intended copy condition, the copy condition can be set again, so that it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing erroneous copying.

[0013] Further, when the incidental condition is not set by the setting means, a series of operations are repeated at predetermined intervals, so that there is no waiting time and the throughput is not impaired.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises setting condition display means for displaying the copy condition set by the setting means, and the delay means includes a condition set by the setting means when the setting condition display means is activated. Regardless of the above, the image forming means is controlled to delay the timing of starting the second series of operations after the first series of operations performed after the setting condition display section is activated. It is characterized by doing.

According to the present invention, the operator of the copying machine starts the second series of operations on the recording medium output by the first series of operations performed after confirming the displayed copying conditions. Can be confirmed before As a result, when the copying is not performed under the intended copying conditions, the copying conditions can be reset, so that erroneous copying can be reduced.

More preferably, the essential conditions are the number of copies, the copy density, the copy magnification, and the paper feed port.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A digital copier according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding members, and the description thereof will not be repeated. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall schematic configuration of a digital copying machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. The digital copier 1 mainly includes an image forming unit 200.
And a staple sorter 10 connected thereto.

In the image forming section 200, a user operation is input via the operation panel 150 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) when forming an image. In response to a user's operation input, the circulating automatic document feeder 500 installed above the image forming unit 200 transfers one original from a group of originals placed on a predetermined original feed tray. Feed out the platen glass one by one. When an exposure process is performed on a document on the platen glass, the document transport device 500 sequentially discharges the document from the platen glass to a document discharge tray.

The image forming section 200 forms an image on a sheet from an image of a document read by an exposure process by an electrophotographic method. The sheet on which the image is formed is conveyed to the staple sorter 10 and discharged onto a stack 20 of the staple sorter 10 or a discharge bin of the bin assembly 30 described later.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of the image forming section 200 of the digital copying machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Image forming unit 200
Is an automatic document feeder 500 that conveys a document and reverses the front and back of the document as necessary, a reading device IR that reads an image of the document to generate image data, and a reading device I.
A memory unit 230 for temporarily storing image data obtained by R, a printer PRT for printing on copy paper based on the image data stored in the memory unit 230, and an operation panel 150 for inputting operations (Located on the upper surface of the image forming unit 200 (in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface)) and an external input / output control unit 250 for exchanging data with the outside.

In the automatic document feeder 500, when a document set on the document feed tray 501 is instructed to be printed, the document on the lowermost layer is automatically placed on the platen glass 215.
When the reading device IR is set at the upper reading position and the reading by the reading device IR is completed, the document is discharged onto the discharge tray 502.

The reading device IR comprises a scanning system 210 and an image signal processing unit 220. In the scanning system 210, first, an image of a document set at a reading position is exposed by an exposure lamp 211 attached to a scanner 216 that moves below the original. The reflected light from the original passes through a reflection mirror and a condenser lens 212, and is charged by a CCD (charge coupled device).
e) Input to photoelectric conversion elements 213 and 214 using an array or the like. Subsequently, the signals obtained by these scanning systems 210 are sent to the image signal processing unit 220. The image signal processing unit 220 performs a binarization process on the input signal,
Image processing such as image quality correction, scaling, and image editing is performed. Then, the image data subjected to the image processing is stored in the memory unit 230.

The printer device PRT includes a print processing unit 24.
0, an optical system 260, an image forming system 270, and a paper transport system 280. The print processing unit 240 includes a memory unit 230
The optical system 260 is driven based on the image data from. In the optical system 260, the semiconductor lasers 261 and 262, based on a signal controlled by the print processing unit 240,
Each emits a laser beam. These are combined by a dichroic mirror 263, reflected by a polygon mirror 265 rotated by a motor 264, and radiated toward a photoconductor 271 of an image forming system 270 through a main lens 266.

In the image forming system 270, first, the photosensitive member 271 is
After being charged by the charging charger 272, the optical system 2
The laser beam from 60 is irradiated. Thus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 271. Then, the toner is put on the electrostatic latent image by the developing device 273.
The toner image on the photoconductor 271 is transferred to a copy sheet fed from the sheet cassette 280a or 280b of the sheet transport system 280. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed to the fixing device 282 by the sheet conveying belt 281, and the toner is fixed on the sheet by heat and pressure.
The sheet is discharged toward the receiving roller pair 81 of the staple sorter 10 (see FIG. 4) connected to the staple sorter 10.

The external input / output control unit 250 exchanges data between the memory unit 230 and a personal computer, a local area network (LAN) and a public telephone line (PSTN) connected to the outside. The external input / output control unit 250 mainly includes a communication control unit that performs communication control for transmitting and receiving control signals and image data to and from a personal computer, and an external LA connected to a LAN.
A network control unit for performing network control for transmission and reception of control signals and image data to and from a device connected to the network unit N, and transmission and reception of data to and from the memory unit 230 during facsimile operation and conversion of pixel density, encoding method, etc. A facsimile conversion unit for performing communication control such as modulation and demodulation of image data and control signals during facsimile operation, and a G3 unit which is connected to a telephone line and controls communication with the PSTN.

FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining the configuration of the operation panel 150 provided on the upper surface of the image forming section 200. The operation panel 150 includes a liquid crystal display device 156 and a touch panel 151 provided thereon and made of a transparent member.
And The liquid crystal display device 156 displays a copy condition, an internal state, and the like of the image forming unit 200. Touch panel 15
Reference numeral 1 is for setting copy conditions and the like, and a user can input a predetermined operation. Operation panel 150
Further includes a numeric keypad 152 for inputting numerical values such as the number of copies and a copy magnification, a reset key 153 for resetting copy conditions set by a user input,
A switching key 154 for switching the display screen of the liquid crystal display unit 156 and a start key 155 for instructing a start of copying are included.

Next, the internal structure of the staple sorter 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the staple sorter 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the staple sorter 10 includes a paper transport unit 80 and five-stage discharge bins 311 to 315 (hereinafter, discharge bins 311 to 311).
15), a staple unit 70 for performing stapling processing on a sheet bundle as necessary, and a discharge bin 311 driven by a motor M70.
And a stack 20 for taking out the sheet bundles on the sheet stacks 315 to 315 and transferring them to the sheet bundle transport gate 100, and transporting the sheet bundle extracted from the discharge bins 311 to 315 by the extraction unit 40 onto the stack 20. And a sheet bundle transport gate 100.

In the following, referring to FIG.
0, the bin assembly 30, the staple unit 70, and the sheet bundle transport gate 100 will be mainly described.
First, the paper transport unit 80 will be described. Paper transport unit 8
Reference numeral 0 denotes a pair of receiving rollers 81 for receiving the sheet discharged from the image forming unit 200 (see FIG. 1), a first conveying unit 83 for conveying the sheet in a substantially vertical direction, and a first sheet conveying direction. A switching claw 82 for switching to the side of the transport unit 83 or the sheet bundle transport gate 100, and a second transport unit 90 for transporting the sheet from the first transport unit 83 to the bin assembly 30 in a substantially horizontal direction. I have.

Here, the switching claw 82 is connected to the solenoid SL5.
It is possible to rotate around the support shaft 82a based on 0 on / off.

When the solenoid SL50 is off, the switching claw 82 is set to the position shown in FIG. At this time, the sheet discharged from the image forming unit 200 and received by the receiving roller pair 81 is guided by the curved right side surface of the switching claw 82 and sent to the first transport unit 83.

When the solenoid SL50 is on, the switching claw 82 rotates clockwise from the position shown in FIG.
At this time, the sheet discharged from the image forming unit 200 and received by the receiving roller pair 81 is guided by the upper surface of the switching claw 82 and the guide plate 79, and is conveyed onto the stack 20 through the sheet bundle conveying gate 100 described later. .

The first transport section 83 includes guide plates 84 to 87 for guiding the paper and transport roller pairs 88 and 8 for transporting the paper.
A punch unit 75 for forming a binding hole at the leading end or the trailing end in the sheet conveyance direction is provided at the middle stage. The second transport section 90 includes a pair of transport rollers 91 and 92 for transporting the paper, and guide plates 93 and 94 for guiding the paper. The guide plate 94 is attached to a side plate portion of the guide plate 93, and the transport roller 91 is mounted on one end of the guide plate 94. This second transport unit 90
About 90 degrees from the position shown in FIG.
It can be rotated in the direction of arrow a.

In the staple sorter 10, the discharge bin 31
When the sheets are distributed to the first transport unit 90, the second transport unit 90
Is set to the position shown in FIG. 4, and the sheet conveyed from the first conveying section 93 by the conveying rollers 91 and 92 is sent to the bin assembly 30 side. When taking out the sheet bundle from the discharge bins 311 to 315 onto the stack 20, the second transport unit 90
Rotates about 90 ° in the direction of arrow a about the support shaft 95, and retreats from the sheet transport position.

The second transporting section 90 has a sensor SE21.
Is installed, and the sensor SE21 is connected to the discharge bin 31.
Sheets and discharge bins 311 to 311 stored in 1 to 315
15 is detected.

A pair of receiving rollers 81, a pair of conveying rollers 88,
89, transport rollers 91 and 92, and take-out rollers 42 and 4
3 is rotated by a motor M50 via a driving force transmission unit (not shown). The take-out rollers 42 and 43 are provided in the take-out unit 40, and when taking out the sheet bundle from the discharge bins 311 to 315, sandwich the sheet bundle and deliver it to the sheet bundle transport gate 100.

Next, the bin assembly 30 will be described. The bin assembly 30 includes five-stage discharge bins 311 to 311.
15, each of the discharge bins 311 to 315 is installed to be inclined at a constant interval. Each of the pins 32 provided on the lower end side of each of the discharge bins 311 to 315 is engaged with a spiral groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of a drive shaft (not shown) installed in the vertical direction. Each of the discharge bins 311-315 is rotated forward / reverse by the motor M60.
Is raised and lowered.

With respect to the bin assembly 30, the position shown in FIG. In this home position, the first discharge bin 311 faces the transport rollers 91 and 92, and the second discharge bin 312 faces the staple unit 70. Hereinafter, the positions of the discharge bins 311 to 315 facing the transport rollers 91 and 92 are referred to as position X1, and the positions of the discharge bins 311 to 315 facing the staple unit 70 are referred to as position X2.

When the drive shaft is rotated reversely by one rotation from the state where the first discharge bin 311 is at the position X1, the first discharge bin 311
Is at the position X2, the second discharge bin 312 is the third discharge bin 31
It descends to the position where it touches 3. When the first discharge bin 311 is at the position X2, the sheet bundle on the first discharge bin 311 can be bound by the staple unit 70. When the drive shaft is rotated forward one rotation after the sheet bundle is bound, the first discharge bin 311 rises to the position X1 again, and the second discharge bin 312 rises to the position X2.

The bin assembly 30 includes each discharge bin 311
To 315 are set at the home position, and a sensor (not shown) for detecting that the drive shaft makes one rotation and the discharge bins 311 to 315 rise one pitch. (Not shown). Sensors SE341 to SE345 for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet are attached to each of the discharge bins 311 to 315.

Next, the staple unit 70 will be described. The staple unit 70 has a well-known electrically driven structure, and includes a head unit 71 capable of attaching and detaching a cartridge containing a staple, and a head unit 71.
And an anvil portion 72 that receives and bends the staples ejected from the staple. This staple unit 70 is provided with discharge bins 311 to 311 set at position X2.
Then, the staple is moved to one side of the sheet bundle and two points at the end of the sheet bundle.

That is, the staple unit 70 is located on the front side of the staple sorter 10 (on the front side as viewed in the drawing).
Can be used as a home position and can be moved toward the back side.
The staple is driven after moving to the fifth side, and after returning to the home position, the staple is driven. A cutout is formed at the lower end of each of the discharge bins 311 to 315 at a position corresponding to the driving of the staple, so that the tip of the staple unit 70 can enter the discharge bins 311 to 315. .

Next, the sheet bundle transport gate 100 will be described. The sheet bundle transport gate 100 is provided with a box 101
Includes a pair of gate rollers 102 and 103 and paper guide plates 104 and 105.
Is rotated forward / reverse by the motor M21. The sheet bundle transport gate 100 is moved up and down by being guided by a guide member (not shown), and a motor M20 is installed as a drive source thereof.

The home position of the sheet bundle transport gate 100 is the position shown in FIG. At this home position, the sheet bundle conveying gate 100 conveys the sheet conveyed from the pair of receiving rollers 81 to the upper surface of the switching claw 82 by rotating the rollers 102 and 103 to the left in FIG. Send it up.

The above-described digital copying machine 1 is controlled by a control unit shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit that controls digital copier 1 in the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, the control unit includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CP”) for controlling the entire digital copying machine 1.
U ”) 173). The CPU 173 is connected to the operation panel 150, the automatic document feeder 500, the external input / output controller 250, the reader IR, the memory unit 230, the printer PRT, and the staple sorter 10, respectively.

The CPU 173 records the image data read by the reading device IR or the data input to the external input / output control unit 250 in the memory unit 230 based on the instruction input from the operation panel 150. And
Based on the copy conditions input from operation panel 150,
The printer device PRT is controlled in order to print the image data recorded in the memory unit 230. In addition, the staple sorter 10 is controlled based on the copy condition input from the operation panel 150 to output a sheet printed by the printer device PRT in a predetermined form. In the figure, thin arrows indicate the flow of control signals,
Thick arrows indicate the flow of data.

The data input to the external input / output control unit 250 may include image data and copy conditions. If the copy condition is included, the operation panel 15
0, no copy condition is input, and the external input / output control unit 25
The image data is printed by the printer PRT in accordance with the copy conditions included in the data input to 0, and output in a predetermined form by the staple sorter 10.

Here, the copying conditions of the digital copying machine 1 will be described. Copy conditions include essential conditions and accompanying conditions. The essential condition is a condition that is always used when the digital copying machine 1 forms an image. The accompanying condition is a condition that is not always used when the digital copying machine 1 forms an image, but is used according to an instruction of an operator. In other words, the essential condition is a copy condition for achieving the basic function of the digital copying machine 1. The accompanying condition is a copying condition for achieving an applied function of the digital copying machine 1. . Hereinafter, each copy condition will be described in detail.

[Indispensable conditions] (1) Number of copies This is a condition indicating the number of sheets on which one document image is copied. The setting of the number is performed by using the ten keys 152 on the operation panel 150.
Is entered from “1” is set as the initial value of the numerical value.

(2) Copy density This is the density of the image formed on the paper by the printer device PRT. The copy density includes an auto density mode and a manual density mode. The automatic density mode is a mode in which the copy density of an image formed on a sheet by the printer device PRT is automatically determined based on image data read by the reading device IR. The manual density mode is a mode in which the density of an image formed on a sheet by the printer device PRT is set by the operator selecting an option displayed on the operation panel 150. The initial value of the copy density is set to “automatic density mode”.

(3) Copy magnification This is the ratio of the size of the copied image to the original image.
When the copy magnification is larger than 1, the original image is enlarged and copied, and when smaller than 1, the original image is reduced and copied. The initial value of the copy magnification is set to “1 × (100%)”.

(4) Paper feed port This is the size of the paper to be copied. The paper feed port has an automatic paper mode and a manual paper mode. The automatic paper mode is a mode in which the size of a document placed on the platen glass is measured by a sensor provided in the reading device IR, and a sheet having the same size as the size of the document is selected. In the manual paper mode, the operator operates the operation panel 15.
This is a mode for setting a predetermined paper size from 0. The initial value of the paper feed port is set to “auto paper mode”.

[Attached Conditions] (1) Nin1 This is a copy condition for copying a plurality of documents onto one copy sheet. If the copy condition is “Yes”, the form to be copied is further added to the copy condition. For example, copying is performed by copying two documents on both sides of one sheet of paper, copying both sides of one document on two sheets of paper, and both sides of one document on both sides of one sheet of paper. Copies each, two originals are reduced and copied on one side of the same size paper as the originals, four originals are copied on both sides of the same size paper, and bound pages such as books are bound one by one. For example, the form of copying on one side of the document is included. “No” is set as the initial value of the copy condition of “Nin1”. When the copy condition is “No”, the original is copied on one side on one side of one sheet.

(2) Folding "Folding" is a copying condition when the copied paper is output in a folded form. When the copy condition is “Yes”, the folding mode is further added to the copy condition. The form of folding is “Z-fold”, “bag-fold”, and “center-fold”
Including three forms. "Z-folding" is a form in which the copied paper is folded so that the cross-sectional shape becomes the shape of the letter Z. "Bag folding" is a form in which the copied paper is folded in two with the print surface facing outward. "Center folding" is a form in which a fold is made with the printed surface of the copied sheet facing outward. “No” is set as the initial value of “fold”. In this case, the printed sheet is output without being folded.

(3) Punch / staple "Punch" is a copy condition for outputting copied paper in a form in which punch holes are formed. When the copy condition is “Yes”, the copied paper is output in a form in which a punch hole is formed. If the copy condition is "NO", the copied paper is output in a form in which no punch holes are made. “No” is set as the initial value of “punch”.

"Staple" is a copying condition for outputting copied paper in a stapled form.
When the copy condition is "Yes", the copied paper is output in a stapled form. If the copy condition is "NO", a sheet copied in a non-stapled form is output. “None” is set as the initial value of “staple”.

(4) Cover / Interleaf / OHP interleaf "Cover" means that when copying a plurality of originals, only the front of the copied paper is copied using another paper (such as color paper). Are the copy conditions. When the copy condition is “Yes”, the copy condition of presence / absence of the front cover (front cover and back cover) and presence / absence of copying of the original to the front cover is further added. There are six types of output modes in combination with the presence / absence of the front cover and the back cover and the presence / absence of copying of the original on the front cover. The initial value of “Cover” is set to “No”, and the paper is output in a form in which no front cover and no back cover are provided.

The "interleaving paper" is a copying condition when another paper (color paper or the like) is inserted as a partition between the copied papers for copying. If the copy condition is “Yes”, the presence or absence of copying to the slip sheet is further added to the copy condition. "No" is set as the initial value of "insertion sheet", and the sheet is output in a form in which no insertion sheet is inserted.

"OHP interleaving paper" is a copying condition for inserting an interleaving paper (copy paper) between OHP films when copying on an OHP film. If the copy condition is “Yes”, the presence or absence of copying to the slip sheet is further added to the copy condition. The initial value of the "OHP slip mode" is set to "NO", and the OHP film is output in a form in which no slip sheet is inserted between the OHP films.

(5) Binding allowance / erase “Binding allowance” is a copy condition when a binding margin (margin) of a sheet is created and copied. When the copy condition is “Yes”, the position where the binding margin is provided is further added to the copy condition. “No” is set as the initial value of the copy condition of “binding margin”.

The "erase" is a copy condition when a predetermined portion of a document is deleted and copied in order to erase a shadow of a punched hole, a stain on a copy edge, and the like. If the copy condition is "Yes", the position to be deleted is further added to the copy condition. The position to be deleted is set by selecting from the options displayed on the operation panel 150. “No” is set as the initial value of “erase”.

(6) Image Repeat “Image repeat” is a copy condition when a plurality of images of one document are arranged and copied on one sheet of paper. “No” is set as the initial value of “image repeat”.
The number of images to be copied on one sheet may be set by default, or may be manually set by an operator.

(7) Page / Date / Management No. “Page / Date / Management No.” indicates the page number and the date of copying on the copy sheet and the No. for managing the copy.
Is a copy condition for printing at a predetermined position. Management N
“o” is a number for the operator to manage the manuscript and the copied paper, and is not printed if it does not exist. When the copy condition is “Yes”, the position where the page / date / management number is printed is further added to the copy condition. The print position of the page / date / management number is indicated on the operation panel
Input from 50. “No” is set as the initial value of “page / date / management No.”.

(8) Format Compositing The “format compositing” is used when copying an image obtained by compositing a document with a format of a predetermined format such as the minutes stored in a memory (ROM) provided in the CPU 173 and a document. Copy conditions. If the copy condition is “Yes”, the selected format to be combined is further added to the copy condition. The format to be synthesized is selected by selecting from the options displayed on the operation panel 150. “No” is set as the initial value of “format composition”.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the main processing performed in digital copying machine 1 in the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, in digital copying machine 1,
First, when the power is turned on, an initialization process is performed (step S01). In the initialization processing, all of the above-described copying conditions including the essential conditions and the accompanying conditions are set to initial values, and the setting mode flag is set to “0”.

Then, an operation mode setting process is performed (step S02). The operation mode setting process is a process for the operator to set copy conditions from the operation panel 150. Then, the start key 155 of the operation panel 150
By pressing, printing is performed in image forming section 200 in accordance with the operation mode set in step S02 (step S03), and other processing for performing predetermined processing such as stapling or sorting by staple sorter 10 is performed (step S04). ).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation mode setting process performed in step S02 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 7, in the operation mode setting process, it is determined whether or not reset key 153 on the operation panel is pressed (step S11). If the reset key 153 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S14, and if not, the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, it is determined whether or not the setting condition confirmation screen is displayed by pressing the switching key 154 of the operation panel 150. When it is displayed, the process proceeds to step S15, and when it is not displayed, the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, it is determined whether or not the associated condition has been set. This determination processing will be described later. If the accompanying condition is set, step S1
The process proceeds to step S5, and if not set, proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the setting mode flag is "0"
Is set, and in step S15, the setting mode flag is set to “1”.

The operation mode setting process is repeated until the printing operation in step S03 in FIG. 6 is started, and during this time, the above-described copying conditions including the essential conditions and the accompanying conditions are set.

As described above, in the operation mode setting process, when the setting condition confirmation screen is displayed (step S1).
2), or if any of the incidental conditions are set (YES in step S13), the setting mode flag is set to “1”; otherwise, the setting mode flag is set. Is set to “0”.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the setting condition confirmation screen. Referring to FIG. 8, the set condition confirmation screen displays the set value for each copy condition including the essential condition and the accompanying condition. The setting condition confirmation screen is displayed by pressing the switching key 154 of the operation panel 150 and the liquid crystal display 156.
Will be displayed. The operator of the digital copying machine 1 can confirm the set copying conditions by looking at the setting condition confirmation screen. Further, when the operator views the setting condition confirmation screen, there is a high possibility that complicated copying conditions, in particular, incidental conditions are changed and set.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the accompanying condition setting determination process performed in step S13 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 9, steps S21 to S2
At 8, it is determined whether or not each associated condition has been set. If the incidental condition is the initial value ("No"), it is determined that the incidental condition is not set, and when the incidental condition is changed to a value ("Yes") different from the initial value, the incidental condition is changed. Is determined as having been set.

In step S21, the presence or absence of "Nin1" setting, in step S22 the presence or absence of "folding" setting, and in step S23, the presence or absence of "punch hole" setting.
In step S24, the presence / absence of “staple” is set. In step S25, the presence / absence of “cover / interleaf / OHP interleaf” is set. In step S26, the presence / absence of “binding margin / erase” is set. Image Repeat "
Is set in step S28, "page / date /
In step S29, it is determined whether “Management No” has been set or not, in step S29.

If it is determined in any of steps S21 to S28 that the associated condition has been set, the flow advances to step S29; otherwise, the flow advances to step S30.
Proceed to. In step S29, the associated condition setting is set to "Yes", and the process proceeds to step S13 in FIG. In step S30, the setting of the incidental condition is set to "none", and
Proceed to 13.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the print operation process performed in step S03 of FIG. In the print operation processing, first, the setting mode flag is determined (step S41). When the setting mode flag is "1", the process proceeds to step S42, and when the setting mode flag is "0", the process proceeds to step S47.

In step S42, it is determined whether or not the first sheet is fed. If it is determined that the first sheet is fed, the process proceeds to step S46; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4.
Proceed to 3. In step S43, it is determined whether or not the second sheet is fed. If it is determined that the second sheet is fed, the process proceeds to step S44; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S47.
Proceed to.

In step S44, a later-described step S44 is executed.
It is determined whether the paper feed weight value set in 46 is “0”. When it is determined that the paper feed weight value is “0”, the process proceeds to step S47, and when it is determined that it is not, the process proceeds to step S45. In step S45, the sheet feeding weight value set in step S46 described later is decremented, and the process proceeds to step S48.

In step S46, 1 is set in step S42.
When it is determined that the sheet is fed, a predetermined value is set as the sheet feeding weight value. The predetermined value set as the paper feed weight value indicates a time during which the digital copying machine 1 is in a standby state from the time when the printing of the first sheet is completed to the time when the second sheet is printed. .

In step S47, print control is performed, and a document image is copied on paper. In step S48, it is determined whether all printing operations have been completed. If the printing operation has ended, the process ends. If the printing operation has not ended, the process proceeds to step S43.

As described above, in the printing operation process, in the case of feeding the first sheet, the predetermined value is set as the sheet feeding weight value, and the first sheet is printed (step S4).
7). Then, the second sheet is not fed until the feed weight value becomes “0”, and printing is not performed on the second sheet. Accordingly, the printing operation can be interrupted for a time corresponding to the predetermined value set as the paper feed weight value from the time when the first sheet is printed until the time when the second sheet is printed. This allows the operator
It is possible to confirm whether or not the result of printing the first sheet is intended by the user, and determine whether or not the changed incidental condition is correct.

If the result is not intended by the operator, the printing of the second sheet can be stopped, the associated conditions can be set again, and the printing can be performed again. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary printing in a form not intended by the operator.

The flowchart of the print operation process shown in FIG. 10 shows a print operation when a single document is printed on a plurality of sheets. Next, a description will be given of a printing operation in the case where a plurality of originals are printed and each of the originals is printed and one copy is printed in a plurality of copies. In this case, all of the plurality of originals are read by the reading device IR and stored in the memory unit 230 before images are formed by the printer device PRT. The printer device PRT sequentially reads out the image data stored in the memory unit 230 and forms an image.

FIG. 11 is a second flowchart showing the flow of the print operation process performed in step S03 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 11, first, the setting mode flag is determined (step S51). When the setting mode flag is “1”, the process proceeds to step S52, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S58.

In step S52, it is determined whether the next sheet to be fed is the first copy or not (step S52). Feeding the first copy means feeding for the first copy of each of a plurality of originals. In the case of feeding the first copy, the process proceeds to step S56; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S53.

In step S53, it is determined whether or not the paper is fed for the second copy. In the case of feeding the second copy, step S5
Go to step S4, otherwise go to step S58.

In step S54, step S
The value of the paper feed weight value set at 57 is determined. If the paper feed weight value is “0”, the flow proceeds to step S58; otherwise, the flow proceeds to step S55. In step S55, the paper feed weight value is decremented.

In step S56, it is determined whether the next sheet to be fed is the last sheet of the first copy. If it is determined that the last sheet of the first copy, the process proceeds to step S57,
Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S58. Step S
At 57, a predetermined value is set as the paper feed weight value. This predetermined value indicates the time during which the printing operation is interrupted from the end of printing of the first copy to the start of printing of the second copy.

In step S58, print control for forming an image on the fed paper is performed. In step S59, it is determined whether or not all the printing operations have been completed. If the printing operation has been completed, the printing operation process ends, and if not, the process proceeds to step S53.

As described above, even when there are a plurality of originals, the printing operation is interrupted for a predetermined time from the end of printing of the first copy to the start of printing of the second copy.
As a result, when a plurality of originals have been printed one copy,
The operator can determine whether the changed incidental condition is correct by checking the printed sheet.
If it is determined that the setting of the incidental condition is incorrect, printing of the second copy and thereafter can be stopped and printing can be resumed under the incidental condition that has been reset. This allows
The second and subsequent copies are not printed under the erroneously set incidental conditions, and erroneous copying can be reduced.

In the digital copying machine 1 described above, when at least one of the accompanying conditions is set, the printing from the first sheet or the first copy to the first sheet or the second copy is started. Although the print operation is interrupted for a predetermined period, the print operation may be interrupted when a plurality of incidental conditions are set. As described above, when a plurality of incidental conditions are set, the printing operation is interrupted, so that the printing operation can be interrupted only when more complicated conditions are set. Thus, the conditions for interrupting the printing operation can be changed according to the skill level of the operator.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of another incidental condition setting determination process performed in step S13 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 12, first, “0” is set to the number of modes, which is a variable (step S61). this is,
This is for initializing the number of modes. And step S
In steps S62 to S70, it is determined whether or not each associated condition has been set. If it is determined in step S62 to step S70 that the associated condition has been set, step S71 to step S79 are respectively performed.
And “1” is added to the number of variable modes. As a result, a value corresponding to the set number of associated conditions is set as the number of modes.

Then, in step S80, it is determined whether the number of modes is two or more. If the number of modes is two or more, the process proceeds to step S81; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S82. In step S81, it is determined that a plurality of incidental conditions have been set, and the process proceeds to step S13 in FIG. 7, and in step S82, it is determined that a plurality of incidental conditions have not been set.
The process returns to step S13.

In this way, when a plurality of incidental conditions are set, the period from when the first sheet or the first sheet of paper is printed to when the second sheet or the second sheet of paper is printed. The printing operation can be interrupted for a time corresponding to a predetermined value set as the paper feed weight value. Accordingly, when a more complicated copy condition is set, it is determined whether the set copy condition is correct or not, after the first sheet or the first sheet of paper is printed, the second sheet or the second sheet of paper is printed. You can check it before it is printed. And
When the copying conditions are incorrect, the printing of the second sheet or the second copy is not started under the incorrect copying conditions, and the number of erroneous copies can be reduced.

The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall schematic configuration of a digital copying machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a schematic configuration of an image forming unit 200 of the digital copying machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation panel 1 provided on an upper surface of an image forming unit 200 of the digital copying machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining a configuration of a reference numeral 50.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a staple sorter 10 of the digital copying machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit that controls the digital copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a main process performed by the digital copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of an operation mode setting process performed in step S02 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a setting condition confirmation screen.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of an accompanying condition setting determination process performed in step S13 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a print operation process performed in step S03 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a second flowchart showing the flow of a print operation process performed in step S03 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of another incidental condition setting determination process performed in step S13 of FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 digital copier, 10 staple sorter, 150
Operation panel, 156 liquid crystal display, 173 CPU, 2
30 memory unit section, 250 external input / output control section,
IR reader, PRT printer.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A setting means for setting essential conditions always used for copying a document image and accompanying conditions used as necessary, image forming means for copying a document image at predetermined intervals, Control means for controlling the image forming means in order to delay the timing at which the first copy is completed and then the second copy is started when the setting condition sets the incidental condition. Provided, an image forming apparatus. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: setting condition display means for displaying a copy condition set by said setting means, wherein said control means sets said setting condition by said setting means when said setting condition display means is activated. Irrespective of the set conditions, the image forming means is controlled to delay the timing at which the second copy starts after the first copy after the set condition display means is activated. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. An image forming apparatus which repeats a series of operations of copying a plurality of original images onto a recording medium and outputting a group of copied recording media, and outputting a plurality of groups of recording media. Setting means for setting essential conditions always used for copying the original image and accompanying conditions used as necessary; image forming means for repeating the series of operations at predetermined intervals; Control means for controlling the image forming means in order to delay the timing of starting the second series of operations after the first series of operations is completed when the associated condition is set by the means An image forming apparatus comprising: 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: setting condition display means for displaying the copy condition set by said setting means, wherein said delay means sets said setting condition when said setting condition display means is activated. Irrespective of the set conditions, in order to delay the timing at which the series of operations performed after the first series of operations performed after the setting condition display means is activated and the second operation performed after the first operation is completed. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming unit is controlled. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the essential conditions are a number of copies, a copy density, a copy magnification, and a paper feed port.